The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-09-19
"Mizpah."
From the JeVish Exponent.


The magic of word is oft-times more
wonderful than the clever tricks of the
gifted magician of the nineteenth century,
for it soothes in its utterance, comforts Ill
its sound, and strengthens in its desire to
give to each that which he needs.
A little band of gold encircles the finger
of my friend, a gift from one whose love
"has been weighed in the balance, and not
found wanting" Engraved in Roman let
ters upon that ring is the single word = Mlz-
pah - as the rays catch each letter, it shines
forth, and in its beauty speaks to the heart
in the language of unselfish affection. 1t is
the most beautiful prayer ever written, the
most earnest invocation to the deity for
help and succor; and its brevity appeals to
the heart as greatly as it attracts the eye
In that one little word is hidden the secret
of mothers heart, asshe bids farewell to her
child, ere he steps forth to take his place In
the struggling mass of those who labor and
watch As a watch tower with its ever
vigilant sentinel to keep him from being
dashed to pieces against the dangerous rocks
of evil temptation, ''MiZpah" shines its
light in the path he should tread, and
if he closes his eyes and will not see.
upon his own head rests the responsibility
of his acts. 1t speaks to him, in the alb
sence of better counsel, and commits him to
the care of the Lord. "Who shall watch
between me and thee, when we are absent,
one from the otherf' And these words echo
the sweet strains of childhood's days, and
force many an example to the surface once
again. that the remembrance might bring
benefit to his weary soul.
"Mizpah'sn pile of stones stood as an
everlasting witness between Jacob and La
ban, and formed, as it were, the peace
offering between these two, so opposite in
character In every age and in every cline
it has read lesson to some, who have been
anxious to be instructed. To my friend of
to-day it speaks of devotion mingled with
self-sacrifice: it forms the link which
connects him with his loved one, when
''they are absent, one from the other" 1t
exhorts him to be faithful to the love of his
youth, and to watch each opportunity
whose aim is honor. Its sentinel sends forth
its metal ring when danger threatens. and
awakens him when apathy's sleep weighs
down his eyelids, and robs him of his con
sciousness. And to you, as well as to me,
it speaks of the great 'AMizpah," the God of
Israel, who watches and guards over
us all. in our homes as well as
abroad; in times of peace as well as in
times of war; in rain as well as i'll sunshine,
and in darkness as well as in light. The
word may not be on the circlet around our
fingers, but it is engraved on the tablets of
our hearts, where time win not mar its
beauty, nor age lessen its influence and
power Keep it then, for its value is in
creased, as we learn each day its noble aim
it is a treasure worthy a kings ransom, for
its sister gems are faith, and hope, and trust.
Ayel with "Mizpah' as our witness God
will be convinced Of our sincerity, and will,
am confident, help us to attain the end
which is nearest and dearest to our hearts.
No matter then where our lines may be cast,
our zeal will remain the same No matter
where our footsteps lead us, when we take
up the burden of our lives, we shall feel and
know that, though banished from home and
kindred, "Mizpahn will whisper to our
loved ones: ''The Lord will watch between
me and thee when we are absent, one from
the other"